Thursday, February 28, 2013

Bangkok- Till We Meet Again

Serving for All Eights (M) Sdn Bhd for 2 months, and they sent me to Bangkok for intensive training. Exactly 2 weeks, I attended the HORIBA Asia Pasific Engineer training. Robaain, my coursemate went with me and that would be his second time been there. 7 participants from four different countries participated in HORIBA Asia Pacific Engineer training. Beside us, we met Mr. Seng Sun Nam, Mr. Dy Chheang, Mr. Bo Chandonal from Cambodia. Mr. Bong Kyu Choi from Korea, and Mr. Mihir S. Khakurel from Nepal. In general, we spent the first two days learning HORIBA Micros 60, the rest of the week for HORIBA Pentra 60 and the whole second week of training for Pentra 80.

Theories and hands-on activities really help us to get familiar with the machine and for better understanding, Q&A was allowed along the training. We are different by experience. We helped each other and get along very well. ‘Engineering’ has cross the boundaries of nation, religion, age and background.  Experience sharing had been the essence topic among us.



5th November 2012 (Monday)

After brief ice breaking session, we started the training with introduction of Horiba product range, discussing the differences between Micros 60, Micros ES60, Pentra 60, Pentra ES60 and Pentra 80. The trainer kept us familiar the basic technical terms (e.g: 3&5 parts, LMG, morphology & analyzer alarm, flags, etc) and principle of machine measurement.

Before we go into engineering matter in depth, we had no choice to understand the application of this instrument in prior. This is important for us to understand the fundamental of hematology. We were introduced with the blood composition and its features. How the blood interacts with the blood. Hydropneumatic Diagram Micros 60ES O.T Bouteile was discussed. 

6th November 2012 (Tuesday)

We were divided into three groups. Preventive maintenance for Micros ES60 was done in groups by easily referred to the technical manual. Common problems were discussed and troubleshooting for Micros 60ES. One of the critical parts for troubleshooting is machine mechanical adjustment. We spent almost 4 hours to learn the adjustment as well as electrical calibration for precision results.

4 hours seems not enough for us. We still got chance to learn more about the adjustment and calibration on Pentra 60 instrument tomorrow. Basically, both machines are mechanically the same -almost. Focus more on Pentra 60 instrument will help us for better understanding in Micros 60.



7th November 2012 (Wednesday)

As planned, today we moved to Pentra 60. We were provided with new hand outs. A bit detail on introduction and instrument principle. The Hydropneumatic diagram was a bit complicated compare to Micros 60. The most essential part for this instrument are LMNE matrix and LMNE-Baso graph analysis. Although these are categorize as application knowledge, it would be very helpful for engineers.

More important, today we were introduced with the instrument’s flags and alarms. As we go deeper into this topic, we found that this could be the main topic for troubleshooting. As supplement, we were provided with the Hydropneumatic diagram of Pentra 60ES and was studied and discussed few hours before dismissed.

8th November 2012 (Thursday)

Preventive maintenance for Pentra 60 was done in groups. More than that, common problems were discussed for Pentra 60ES. Basically, we repeat the syllabus of Micros 60 for Pentra 60. We do the same procedure and focus more on adjustment and calibration. Thus, machine mechanical adjustment and electrical calibration for precision results were practically thought.

We glad that during the training, we faced the instrument problems to be settled. Although only 2 units available for training, it was good enough for us otherwise we surely don’t have more time to settle the problems. Supposed we have a troubleshooting test for every candidate. Since the units we had caused us problems, so we all passed the test. It was tough. We were told that the units originally came from users. So, we have a priceless training experience.

9th November 2012 (Friday)

We continued solving instrument problems until lunch time. We did it. And the machines were ready to be used. Today’s topic was more on software setting and we had a brief explanation about application. Today is a special day for Thailand people. As a complement to the training lectures, we were paid a chance to see a special ceremony which happened once in 5 years- Royal Barge Procession after discussion and Q&A session. Training ended earlier.


12th November 2012 (Monday)

As usual, on the first day learning new instrument, we were provided with the hand outs enclosed with the Hydropneumatic Diagram. Understanding the diagram was a challenge for us. Every candidate was asked to explain part by part of the diagram. It was not a big trouble for us other than some extra components and functions that not available in Micros and Pentra 60.

We went through the hand outs together and spent some times with the machine to capture the ideas better. We packed the 3 units of Pentra 60 we used last week and brought in 2 units of Pentra 80 into the work space. Different with others, this was my first time seeing and touch this machine. As the size bigger, I believe it’s more complicated and I need to pay more attention during the training. On the first day, almost all are lecture and theories.

13th November 2012

Second day, the trainer demonstrate a simulator to us. Of course the software has some limitations compare to actual software equipped with actual instrument. The main purpose is to assist us to navigate the screen in such through phone troubleshooting.

Today, we focus more on instrument adjustment. Chamber adjustment, needle adjustment, tube holder adjustment, and automatic sample adjustment were performed in groups.

14th November 2012

We continued to do the adjustments on this day and some extra troubleshooting activities. Since the units brought here were from users (hospitals), we faced some problems. Blood clotting, broken parts, leaking, software problems were expected. It was hard for me at the beginning but then I learnt.

We spent the rest of the noon by discussing common problems and the problems we had. The problems were not created purposely for the training. Our target was to make sure there is no more ‘alarms’ and the machines can start up perfectly. We did after all.

15th November 2012

What left for today is PENTRA 80 software. We were introduced with HIREN 10.0 software in case we face computer boot up problem. It acts like a ‘mini windows’ to help us restore and backup data needed.

Other than that, we discuss about master CD and installation, P80/XL installation, and HDD replacement.

16th November 2012

We had a quiz for the last day. We need to answer all the questions in few minutes and given the marks after that. All candidates managed to get good marks and we spent times to discuss the answer of each question. Before we end the class, the training evaluation form was distributed to all the participants to be filled.

We packed the instruments. We dismissed after a photography session.

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